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Web Writing

From blog posts to online articles and web pages, here are some of my favourites:

wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

Elopement Inspiration and Storytime | Wildly Connected Photography

Eliza and Emily’s elopement was one of those mornings that sticks with you. They picked this gorgeous lodge nestled right on Minnesota’s Boundary Waters—just the three of us, plus two kind strangers who agreed to witness. The place was stunning. It was remote, and the lake stretched out like glass, reflecting the trees and early morning light. I could see why they chose it; they wanted a quiet, meaningful start to their marriage.


Their decision to elope first, before the big wedding celebrati...
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

Best LGBTQ+ Date Ideas in Minneapolis | Wildly Connected Photography

As an LGBTQIA+ small wedding and elopement photographer from Minneapolis, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring the city’s vibrant and diverse offerings with countless couples. Minneapolis is an amazing place to fall in love, with its rich cultural scene, beautiful outdoor spaces, and welcoming community. Whether you’re planning your first date or looking for new ways to spend time with your partner, I’ve put together a guide that has a little something for everyone!


We’re starting out strong wi...
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

How to Elope: The Ultimate Guide | Wildly Connected Photography

To me, one of the most beautiful things about life is seeing how hearts can connect in the most extraordinary ways. As a wedding and elopement photographer, I’m lucky to witness this magic unfold before my eyes. Elopements are where grand adventures and intimate moments collide, making for a celebration like no other. If you want to honor your love through eloping, you’ve come to the right place! I made this guide for you. This comprehensive article teaches you how to elope step by step, answers
Special Events •

A Guide to Creating Queer-Friendly Wedding Spaces

As a wedding and elopement photographer, witnessing love right before my eyes is the most beautiful thing about my job. As a queer person, I work predominantly in LGBTQ+ spaces. To me, this work is sacred. When couples welcome me into their lives to celebrate their unique love and identities, nothing makes me happier—queer love is sacred.

Being in this space for a long time has shown me the good, the bad, and the ugly. While I and other wedding vendors strive to create safe and inclusive enviro
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

The Best Places to Elope in the Midwest

Love knows no boundaries, and when it comes to capturing the essence of your unique love story, why not choose a backdrop as remarkable as your connection? Imagine jaw-dropping cliffs, enchanting forests, and breathtaking lakes that stretch forever — that’s the magnificent Midwest for you!

This region of the States is often overlooked when looking for the best elopement destinations. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, isn’t the Midwest just endless highways and boring old fields? Why would
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

How to Elope in Minnesota in 2023: Complete Guide

Welcome to the exciting world of eloping in Minnesota! While some may view this state as an icy tundra land, I assure you that it’s a spectacular location to tie the knot in a more intimate and personal way. In fact, an elopement in this beautiful place can provide you with a unique and unforgettable experience. So, let’s take a journey together through the process of how to elope in Minnesota to help you see the abundant possibilities this state has to offer.
• Why Minnesota is the Perfect Plac
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

10 Benefits of Outdoor Elopements | Wildly Connected Photography

If you’re worried about the stress and pressure of planning a big, traditional wedding and want your special day to be more intimate and meaningful, elopement might be the perfect choice for you. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean sacrificing the day’s romance, magic, and beauty. As a queer wedding and elopement photographer with over ten years in this industry, I’ve compiled a growing list of benefits of outdoor elopements, which may be particularly helpful for LGBTQ+ folks — romance
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

Why Hire LGBTQ+ Wedding Vendors? | Wildly Connected Photography

If you’re a queer couple planning for your big day, you might be thinking about who you need to hire. Vendors like wedding planners, photographers, videographers, caterers, and hair and makeup artists might come to mind as you dream up this special celebration. But have you thought about seeking out queer vendors specifically?

This week on my podcast, Queerly Beloved, I spoke with videographer Casey Pflipsen from Pflipsen Films (who also happens to be the first official member of the Wildly Con
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

LGBTQ+ Posing for Photographers | Wildly Connected Photography

Photographers: You can’t just “copy and paste” poses from your traditional straight sessions onto your LGBTQ+ couples. If you tuned into my podcast last week or read my previous post on posing for queer couples, you would’ve heard me say this. Photographing queer couples is a different experience. It requires varied skills, and it’s a muscle that few get the chance to exercise. That’s why I want to share my insights on LGBTQ+ posing for photographers.

I’m in a unique position that allows me to
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

Couples LGBTQ+ Photoshoot Tips | Wildly Connected Photography

Posing for photos can be stressful if you don’t know what to expect or how to prepare, especially if you’re a queer couple. As an LGBTQ+ photographer, I’m here to tell you that that’s okay! Whether you’re looking forward to your engagement or wedding day photos, are curious about how couples pose for pictures, or are simply beautiful and single and thinking about the future, this post is for you. Below, I’ll offer some tips on posing for photos during an LGBTQ+ photoshoot (which I also share in
wildlyconnectedphotography.com •

Why Every Wedding Should Be A Little Queer

Whether your wedding is fast approaching or you’re dreaming of the moment you get to say “I do,” as LGBTQ+ folks, this day is not just about the union of hearts — it’s a celebration of standing proud after years and years of fighting for a place in this world.

It’s no surprise that the wedding industry is long overdue for a makeover to help LGBTQ+ couples and guests feel safe in their spaces and enjoy what truly matters: love. But how can we make these changes in an industry with deep-rooted tr
InfoEdmonton •

Filipino Restaurant Month: A Look At Filipino Cuisine

Canada’s first national Filipino Restaurant Month is kicking off in April, and select restaurants will be participating across Canada. We want to get in on the action by introducing you to some Filipino restaurants in Edmonton. If you’re new to the cuisine, here’s a rundown of all-things pagkaing pinoy (Filipino food).

Filipino cuisine has origins that are hard to pin down. There are reasons for this: colonialism, migration, and trade, to name a few. It’s no surprise that as people came, stayed
InfoEdmonton •

A Bush Pilot, Passion, and Story: Dominique Prinet

Dominique Prinet has had nothing less of an extraordinary life. His book, Flying to Extremes, shares his adventures as a bush pilot during the ’60s and ’70s in Northern Canada. His stories compel people everywhere, even striking a chord in France, where he published some adventures in an aviation magazine.

France, World War II, a 5-year-old boy. This sets the stage for the beginning of Dominique’s very successful aviation career.

When his family moved after D-Day in 1944 to the East of France,

Magazine Features

Explore a selection of my published work with Info Edmonton Magazine.

Sales Copywriting Samples

All samples below were projects completed to obtain my Strategic Copywriting Certificate through the University of Toronto.

Contact Me

My inbox is always open! You can contact me with the details below:

Email: mariahhesswrites@gmail.com